Great Mountain Days in the Lake District: 50 classic routes.

Great Mountain Days in the Lake District: 50 Classic Routes in the Lakeland Fells. mark Richards

My personal copy of this Lake District guide is well thumbed. Explore the stunning Lakeland Fells with “Great Mountain Days in the Lake District: 50 Classic Routes.” This comprehensive travel guide, written by Mark Richards and published by Cicerone Press, offers 288 pages of detailed routes for outdoor enthusiasts. Discover 50 classic routes that will take you on unforgettable adventures through the Lake District. With a paperback format and a height of 240mm, this book is easy to carry on your mountain treks. It weighs 840g and has a width of 170mm. This travel guide is perfect for anyone interested in sports and looking for an exciting travel experience.

With a forward by Sir Chris Bonington. this is a well written and detailed book. It is illustrated with stunning lake District photographs and maps that compliment the various routes described.  The route up Coniston Old Man I write about in my blog is a variation of the route in this guide.  Other great walks described in “Great Mountain Days in the Lake District: 50 Classic Routes” include Pavey Ark, Scafell Pike, Haystacks, Green Gable and Catbells.  The introduction to the guide offers key information about walking in the Lake District and caring for the Fells.  The appendices contain a useful walking log, and index of the Fells and suggested further reading.

The routes described in “Great Mountain Days in the Lake District: 50 Classic Routes” are:

Routes 1 – 10

Lingmoor Fell. Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle. Loft Crag and Pike o’Stickle. Bowfell and Rossett Pike. Pike o’Blisco and Crinkle Crags. Wetherlam. Dow Crag and Coniston Old Man. Dow Crag, Brim Fell, Swirl How and Grey Friar. Black Combe. Harter Fell (Eskdale) and Hard Knott.

Routes 11 – 20

Scafell Pike and Esk Pike. Scafell and Slight Side. Illgill Head and Whin Rigg. Great End, Scafell Pike and Lingmell. Pillar, Scoat Fell, Red Pike and Yewbarrow. Kirk Fell and Great Gable, Buckbarrow, Seatallan and Middle Fell. Crag Fell, Caw Fell and Haycock. Steeple, Scoat Fell and Pillar. Mellbreak.

Routes 21 – 30

Whiteside, Hopegill Head, Grasmoor, Wandope, Whiteless Pike and Rannerside Knotts. High Crag, High Stile and Red Pike. Haystacks. Fleetwith Pike, Dale Head, Hindscarth and Robinson. Green Gable and Great Gable. Rosthwaite Fell and Glaramara. Eagle Crag, Sergeant’s Crag, High Raise and Ullscarf. High Spy, King’s How and Brund Fell. Catbells, Maiden Moor, High Spy, Dale Head and Hindscarth. Robinson, Knott Rigg and Ard Crags.

Routes 31 – 40

Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head, Eel Crag, Sail, Outerside and Barrow. Ullock Pike, Long Side, Carl Side, Skiddaw Little Man, Skiddaw and Bakestall. Carrock Fell and High Pike. Bowscale Fell, Blencathra and Souther Fell. Blencathra. Clough Head, Great Dodd, Watson’s Dodd, Stybarrow Dodd and Hart Side. Raise, White Side and Helvellyn. Helm Crag, Gibson Knott, Calf Crag and Sergeant Man. Low Pike, High Pike, Dove Crag, Hart Crag, Fairfield, Great Rigg, Heron Pike and Nab Scar. Red Screes, Litte Hart Crag, High Pike and Low Pike.

Routes 41 – 50

Caudale Moor. Dove Crag, Hart Crag and Hartsop above How. Fairfield and St Sunday Crag. Dollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike, Helvellyn and Catstycam. Birkhouse Moor, Helvellyn, White Side, Raise, Stybarrow Dodd and Sheffield Pike. Place Fell. Steel Knotts, High Raise, Rampsgill Head, The Knott, Rest Dodd, Angletarn Pikes and Beda Head. High Street, Rampsgill Head and Kidsty Pike. Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick, Thornthwaite Crag, High Street and Mardale Ill Bell. Shipman Knotts, Kentmere Pike and Harter Fell (Mardale). 

The Lake District is a stunning area of natural beauty. Characterised by its rolling hills, tranquil lakes and picturesque landscapes, this region is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The Lake District National Park covers over 2,362 square kilometres and is home to some of the most impressive peaks in England, including Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England. Visitors can explore the winding walking trails, go swimming in the crystal clear lakes, and take in the awe-inspiring views from one of the many vantage points throughout the National Park. Whether you prefer to relax in the great outdoors or seek out adventure, the Lake District is sure to capture your heart with its breathtaking scenery and endless opportunities for exploration.